KARACHI: The Quaid-e-Azam said in a speech in 1944: “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you; we are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners.” Despite the vision of the founding father, the situation of women in the country he created is quite miserable. They are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and have been denied their due social, economic, political and financial rights.
Women, in some parts of the country, have even been deprived of their basic birthright to education which, in turn, hampers their road to empowerment as it is only education that can empower her, not only socially, but also financially. There is no denying the reality that women empowerment is a key phenomenon in bringing about sustainable socio-economic progress of every nation. This forward-looking approach is helping such societies benefit from the active participation of women from every walk of life.
It is not as if nothing is being done in Pakistan with regard to women empowerment but whatever is being done, is clearly not enough. Most women in the country, especially in the rural areas, are being deprived of basic human rights. It is not only the duty of the government or NGOs to safeguard women’s rights. It is the duty of every citizen of Pakistan to ensure that their rights are protected.
Yusra Shakil
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2013.
